Blackjack Pizza & Salads Franchise

Vince Schmuhl founded Blackjack Pizza in 1983 after working for another pizzeria and seeing an opportunity in the Rocky Mountain region’s pizza-delivery market. The first store opened in Federal Heights, Colorado, on June 29, 1983; a second followed in Greeley in February 1984. Expansion initially concentrated on the Denver area.

According to the brand’s official history, the system had six company stores and one franchisee by 1986. Blackjack identifies 1988 as the point when it formally adopted an owner/operator franchise approach. Some company restaurants were sold to franchisees, and independent pizzerias also joined through conversions.

That progression established a business centered on local restaurant ownership and delivery and carryout service. Today’s menu extends beyond pizza to salads, breads, wings, calzones and other items. The consumer business also offers online ordering and Blackjack Rewards, connecting its long-running neighborhood pizzeria identity with contemporary ordering and customer-loyalty tools.

Blackjack’s current franchise program describes training for both franchise owners and their management teams. The company says it adapts instruction and guidance to the owner’s strengths, challenges and goals while maintaining common brand standards.

Before opening, support includes evaluating locations and coordinating the restaurant build-out. The published assistance covers layouts, sourcing and project timelines, along with access to the established purchasing and supply chain network. Site selection, training and launch support form part of the transition into restaurant ownership.

After opening, the Field Operations team provides continuing consulting and hands-on assistance. This keeps operating guidance connected to the restaurant as its owner and managers develop their team. The program combines launch preparation with ongoing help for the practical work of running a carryout and delivery pizzeria.

Blackjack combines a familiar neighborhood occasion—pizza for lunch, dinner or a gathering—with a menu that gives customers choices beyond a single signature product. Carryout, delivery and online ordering make the restaurant accessible in several ways, while its rewards program gives customers another reason to stay connected with the brand.

For a hands-on restaurant leader, the attraction is a defined concept with decades of brand history and a clear local role. The owner can concentrate on the details customers notice: well-prepared orders, dependable service and a team that knows its neighborhood. That practical ownership focus is a strong fit for buyers who like food service, team development and everyday customer interaction.

For more background on this opportunity, read Blackjack Pizza & Salads Franchise: Menu, History and Ownership Guide.